Patents by Inventor Thomas E. DeWan

Thomas E. DeWan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6397438
    Abstract: A strip of hook and loop fastening material embedded within an article having a body such as a bar of soap. In alternative embodiments, the strip has one embedded end and one free end, or alternatively both ends are embedded to form a loop serving as a handle. Preferably, the strip of hook and loop material has holes, or alternatively, the edges of the strip of hook and loop material are pinked, to increase surface area for improving retention of the strip by the body. Alternatively, the strip may have negative taper wherein the relatively wide end is embedded, or the embedded portion may form a serpentine path. Alternatively, two strips of hook and loop material, preferably overlapping, are embedded within the article. The article includes an anchoring member bearing complementary hook and loop material on one side and adhesive on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas E. DeWan
  • Patent number: 5125758
    Abstract: A piercing clamp for sheets of paper and the like, it includes a piercing jaw containing a piercing pin, and a holding jaw, and is urged closed by a spring. It is self piercing. Once a sheet of paper is pierced within the clamp, it retains its position relative to the clamp whether the clamp is open or closed. A guard may also be included to guard the piercing pin. The piercing clamp has great utility in a hanging clipboard. By piercing divider sheets within the clamp, other sheets may be inserted between the dividers without being pierced, allowing the piercing clamp to be used as a flier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas E. DeWan
  • Patent number: 4944042
    Abstract: An article of flexible material having a tubular portion which is functional during normal use of the article and which forms a container for the article when the article is not in use. The container-forming portion has first and second opposite ends, at least one end defining a mouth through which the article, when not in use, may be stuffed into the container-forming portion, a first closure carried by the article for at least partially closing the first end of the container-forming portion, and a second closure carried by the article for at least partially closing the second end of the container-forming portion whereby, with the article stuffed in the container-forming portion and both ends of the container-forming portion at least partially closed, the article is releasably held in the container-forming portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas E. DeWan
  • Patent number: 4903430
    Abstract: Fish bait comprising a body of fish bait material which dissolves in water. The dissolvable body is provided with a mechanism for attachment of the body to a fishing implement, such as a hook, fishing line or bait fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas E. DeWan
  • Patent number: 4404689
    Abstract: A flexible container for an article constructed in accordance with a predetermined three-dimensional shape which represents the reproduction of a desired item is now being added to the state-of-the-art. The container while being flexible is also self-sustaining so that it can retain its predetermined three-dimensional shape without the assistance of any external agent. The flexible container is stored with the article when it is not serving as a container for the article. The predetermined three-dimensional shape which the flexible container assumes when it is to serve as a container for the article is relinquished when stored with the article so as not to interfere with the intended use of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventor: Thomas E. DeWan